Manifolding



J, 12, 1937. c W, BRENN 7 2,067,376

MANIFOLDING Original Filed Jan. 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5 0- Tansy: BY[TIME Ho w REcD Jan. 12, 1 937. c w BRENN 2,067,376

MANIFOLDING Original Filed Jan. 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A INVENTORCaprz W.,B7"en71/,

A ORNEY Patented Jan. 12, 1937 7 MANIFOLDING Carl W. Brenn, Montclair,N. J., assignor to Autographic Register Company, Hoboken, N. J., acompany of New Jersey atlssurt- JUN 1 1941 Original application January28, 1929, Serial No. 335,402. Divided and this app ion Octob 23, 1929,Serial No. 401,897

19 Claims. 01. 282- 12 This invention relates to manifolding, and isadivision of my copending application Serial No. 335,402, flled January28, 1929, which matured into Patent Number 1,957,405, May 1, 1934, and.

forms part of the invention described and claim-- ed therein. Thepresent application concerns the manifolding pile or pack per se.

In the art of manifolding, it is frequently desired to simultaneouslyfeed work sheets and carbon sheets which are of indefinite length, sothat the writing process might be continuous. In such work, to keep theseveral superposed strips in register longitudinally and transversely,it has been proposed to provide the strips with marginal rows of holesand to provide on the writing machine wheels having pins for engaging inthese marginal holes to feed the sheets. To provide these marginal rowsof holes in the carbon strips requires that they be passed through aprinting press or similar machine equipped with punching devices. Thisprocessing of the carbon strips increases their cost and hence the costof the supplies needed for performing the work. Yet, it is necessary tokeep the carbon strips -in substantial register with the work sheetstrips, for otherwise they may gradually work outwardly of the pile inthe feeding operations, or be actually jogged outwardly during thereturn movement of the carriage when used in a' typewriter. so A featureof a portion of this invention claimed herein is the provision of amanifolding pile having the work sheet strips provided with marginsextending beyond the side edges of the carbon sheet strips so that thecarbon sheet strips need 5 not be engaged by the pin-wheel feedingdevice and so that the margins may constitute feeding bands betweenwhich no carbon or transfer material is interposed, permitting feedingor other pressure to be'applied to said side margins of the 40 worksheets without smudging of the undercopies as a result of such pressure.

Another feature is the provision of the relatively narrow carbon stripsof such width that their side edges are tangential to the pin-wheel' 5feeding apertures in the work sheet strips whereby the pins' engagingthrough said apertures may act as gages for the carbon strips and bringthe carbon strips into desired lateral position with relation to thework sheet strips should they tend w to slip sidewise.

Other features and advantages willhereinafter appear. In theaccompanying drawings, which show one form of the invention, that atpresent pre- Figure 1 is a sectional side view of part of a carriage ofa typewriting machine, showing the device of the present inventionapplied thereto, and also showing a pack of stationery for use with themachine. 5

Fig. 2 is a front view of the carriage of a typewriting machine with thestrips torn away to show more clearly the manner in which the guide 1 atthe introductory side of the platen functions.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the manner 10 in which the pinsengage the side margins of the carbon sheet strips to hold the latteragainst lateral movement relatively to the platen and to the work sheetstrips with which they are interleaved. I I 15 Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of a pile of work sheet strips made in accordance with the presentinvention, showing the latter arranged in a. zigzag folded pack;

The manifolding pile of the present invention 20 may be used withvarious machines and, to exemplify the invention, is illustrated hereinin the same connection in which it is illustrated in my said copendingapplication, Serial No. 335,402, filed January 28, 1929, of which thisis a division, 25. wherein there is shown'a typewriting machine havinga. platen 10 for supporting work sheet strips ll and carbbn sheet stripsI2 in position to be engaged by type bars l3 which, as indicated, swingupwardly and rearwardly against the front face of the platen to imprintcharacters on the uppermost work sheet strip l I by means of a rib-'-bon I4 and to cause those characters to be duplicated on the understrips H by the carbon sheet strips 12, one of which is provided foreach of the under work sheet strips H. The platen I0 is mounted in acarriage I5 adapted to travel to and fro in letter-space direction. Inthe form shown,

the carriage slides on a square shaft l6 passing through the center ofthe platen l0 and serving to rotate the platen when it is rotated andhas a rear guide I! upon which it rides.

The carriage I5 has a paper table 15a at the introductory side of theplaten for guiding work 45 sheets thereto and the forward part of thetable has an apron 15b which holds the work to the platen.

The work sheet strips ll usually contain a succession of printed formshaving delineated 50 spaces IS in which indicia is to be written. Due tothe proximity and restrcted area of the spaces l8, it is imperative thatall the work sheet strips I I be maintained in accurate registration, sothat indicia written in the delineated space of 'one 55.

strip will be located entirely within the corresponding delineated spaceof the other strips.

To maintain this desired registration, it has previously been proposedthat, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the work sheet strips ll beprovided with holes l9, arranged in succession forming rows extendinglongitudinally of the strips and at the side margin 2|] thereof. Theholes H are adapted to be engaged by pins 2| carried by wheels 22secured to the platen ||J so as to rotate therewith. In the feedingoperation, the pins 2| being engaged with some of the holes l9 advancethe strips coincidently with the rotation of the platen, and as the pinsone after another engage succeeding holes at the introductory side ofthe platen, due to their tapered ends 23, they bring the strips into ac-.curate registration and positively advance all of the strips togetherwithout any danger of slippage between them. The paper apron |5b holdsthe work sheets close to the platen and the pin-wheel so that the pinswill extend through the holes IS. The paper apron |5b is slotted at |5cto permit rotation of the pinwheels without interference of the apronwith the pins.

Were the carbon sheet strips |2 similarly provided with holes, they toowould be held in the desired relation to the work sheet strips I. But,to thus prepare the carbon sheet strips it would be required that theybe passed through a machine which' would punch the holes in the sidemargins and this would add cost to the pack or roll of stationery.

To avoid this, the present invention provides means for guiding andcontrolling the positions of the carbon sheet strips so that they aremaintained in the desired location between the work sheet strips withoutrequiring that they be procarbon sheet strips by their side edges bothat the platen and at a point at the introductory side of and close tothe platen.

The means for accomplishing the last-named function in the form shownherein, comprises a frame24 having side plates 25 between which aresecured guide rods 26 over which both the work sheet strips H and thecarbon sheet strips |2 ride, one strip engaging each rod. The frame 24is pivotally mounted in arms 21 forming part of the carriage I5, andthis is done by extending one of the rods 26 from the side plates 25 tothe arms 21 of the carriage. This mounting 0d the frame permits thelatter to swing and assume the most natural position for guiding thestrips. In loading the machine, the strips H and I2 are led from a packP supported on a table or other convenient device and the strips areseparated with one strip only passing over each rod 26.

In the .form shown, the work sheet strips are guided by directlyengaging with their side edges 20 on'inside surfaces of the plates 25,and thus are kept in accurate alignment; with each other. The carbonsheet strips l2, however, which, for reasons stated below, are narrowerthan the work sheet strips, engage with their side edges |2a againstguiding blocks 28 placed between the rods 26 which lie above and below"the, carbon strip l2. The guides 28 are each rod.

As stated, and as is customery, the work sheets are guided and held inaccurate alignment at the platen by the engagement of the pins 2| on'the pin-wheels 22 with the marginal holes l9 in the work sheet strips.To guide the carbon sheets and prevent them from shifting transverselyat the platen, the present invention makes the carbon sheet strips 2 ofsuch width or places the pins 2| in such position (according to whichchange is most convenient or desirable) that the side edges |2a of thecarbon sheet strips i2 are in position to be engaged by the inside edges2|a of the pins 2|, as shown in Fig. 3. The pins 2| thus hold the carbonsheets l2 captive between the work sheets at the platen and should acarbon sheet tend to skew or to creep sidewise during the rotation ofthe platen, the-pins 2| will cam or guide them back into position.

Of course, it is not absolutely essential that the distances between theside edges |2a of the carbon strip and between the inner edges 2 |a ofthe pins be absolutely the same, but when used with the mechanismdescribed it is preferable that they be substantially the same, leavingonly such clearance between the edges |2a of the carbon strip and theedges Zia of the pins as is necessary or expedient to compensate forvariations in the manufacture of the parts and paper. The space,however, between the side edge |2a of the carbon strip and the inneredge 2|a of the pin must not be so great as to permit substantialmovement of the carbon sheet, for otherwise should the sheets'skew forsome reason between the guides 28 and the point where the pins 2| engagethe work sheet strips, the carbon strip might overlie the apertures i!in the work sheet strips and be pierced by the pins. The danger of thisoccurring is mitigated to a great extent by the provision of the guideblocks 28 for the carbon sheets at the introductory side of the platenand taken together with the side edges of the pins 2| have been found inpractice to keep the carbon sheet strip well confined and againstlateral movement relatively to the work sheetstrips.

After the strips I have been fed around the platen by the pin-wheels22,'they are stripped from the pins by a plate 3| at the delivery sideof the platen. The plate 3| has slots 32 through which the pins passtolift the paper from the pins as the platen is rotated, the paper beingforced to travel upwardly along the plate.

The carbon and work sheet strip controlling means of the presentinvention is extremely advantageous, particularly in connection withautomatic or telegraph typewriters which frequently operate forrelatively long periods without being observed by an .operator.

The frame 24, instead of being arranged so that the side edges 20 of thework sheet strips engage the plates 25, as shown in Fig. 6, has otherblocks 28;: for guiding the work sheet strips and these may beadjustable as in the case of the blocks 28. v

From the above, it will be seen that the proper relationship between thepins 2| and the side edges |2a of the carbon sheet strips may beobtained by either changing the positions of the pins or making thecarbon sheet strips wider, that is, changing the machine or the pack ofstationery. Accordingly, the present invention be jointly divided into aplurality of multiplicate contemplates and embraces not only themechanism disclosed and claimed in my copending application aforesaid,but also a. mani'folding pile claimed per se herein.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and forwhich it is desired to obtain Letters Patent, is:--

1. A manifolding pile comprising a plurality of superposed continuouswork sheet strips; and a continuous carbon sheet strip of the samelength interposed between each two adjacent work sheet strips, the worksheet strips having at each side margin a row of circular holes, and thecarbon sheet strips being of'such'width that each side edge thereof istangent to the holes of the adjacent row of holes in the work sheetstrips.

2. A manifolding pack comprising a plurality of superposed continuouswork sheet strips; a

' continuous carbon sheet strip between each two strip of transfermaterial interposed between each two of the work sheet strips runningwith and of the same length as the latter, said work sheet strips andcarbon strips being superposed in registration to form a pile and beingfolded in zig-zag fashion while in such superposed registered conditionto' form a pack; and means on the work sheet strips extending beyond theside edges of the other strips and providing marginal zones by means ofwhich the pile of strips may be held in predetermined position on theplaten.

3. A manifolding pile comprising a plurality of physically separatestrips; and a continuous carbon strip between each two work sheet stripsrunning with the work sheet strips in interleaved relation, less thanthe total number of said strips having margins extending beyond the sideedges of the other and having pin-wheel engaging apertures located insaid margins.

4. A manifolding pile comprising a plurality of physically separatestrips; and a continuous carbon strip between each two work sheet stripsrunning with the work sheet strips in interleaved relation, less thanthe total number of said strips having margins extending beyond the sideedges of the others and constituting feeding bands free of theunderlying carbon strip by means of which the pile may be fed.

5. A manifolding pile comprising a plurality of superposed continuouswork sheet strips; and a work sheet strips running with the work sheetstrips in interleaved relation, the work sheet strips having marginsextending beyond the side edges of the carbon sheet strips and havingpinwheel engaging apertures located in said side margins.

6. A manifolding pile comprising a plurality of superposed continuouswork sheet strips; and a continuous carbon sheet strip between each twowork sheet strips running with the work sheet strips in interleavedrelation, the work sheet strips having margins extending beyond the sideedges of the carbon sheet strips and constituting feeding bands free ofthe underlying carbon sheet strip by means of which the pile may be fed..7. A stationery article comprising a plurality of continuoussuperimposed paper strips having a plurality of spaced lines ofperforations so as to forms, one of said strips projecting beyond saidother strip on at least one lateral edge to form a feeding edge forcooperation with the shifting element 'of'an inscribing machine.

8. A stationery article comprising a plurality of continuoussuperimposed paper strips having a plurality of spaced lines ofperforations so as to be jointly divided into a plurality ofmultiplicate forms, one of said strips projecting beyond said otherstrip on at least one lateral edge and having the projecting portion ofits body formed with a series of feed perforations.

9. A packet of manifolding material including two continuous independentrelatively superposed record strips and a continuous-strip of transfermaterial interposed between the record strips, said strips'beingcollectively interfolded into continuous zigzag formation whereby thesucceeding folds will tend to hold said strips against relative shiftingmovement, the longitudinal margins of the transfer strip and recordstrip being laterally offset to enable operative engagement of stripfeeding devices with the record strips independently of the interposedtransfer strip.

10. An assembly of manifolding material comprising a. plurality ofsuperposed continuous independent record strips and interleaved transferstrips, said strips being collectively interfolded into zigzag formationto form a supply packet from which the strips are simultaneouslywithdrawn, the record strips being of greater width than the transferstrips and apertured in that portion extending beyond the transferstrips to enable engagement with strip feeding and arresting devicesindependently of the interleaved transfer strips.

11. A manifolding pile comprising a plurality of continuous superposedwork sheet strips and a continuous carbon strip interleaved between eachtwo adjacent work sheet strips, the several strips having feedingcontact with each other when wrapped partially around a cylindricalplaten of a typewriting machine, less than the total number of stripshaving lateral marginal feeding bands projecting beyond the adjacentlateral edges of the other strip or strips and by means of which thestrips of the pile are fed either directly through the medium of feedingmeans engaging said feeding bands or indirectly through the strip orstrips so fed directly.

12. In a manifolding assembly, alternating sheets of record and transfermaterial adapted for simultaneous engagement with sheet feedingmechanism, there being clearance provided at the point of engagementwhereby the transfer material is free for limited shifting movementrelative to the feeding mechanism to greater extent than the recordmaterial.

13. Manifolding material including continuous lengths of record materialand a. corresponding continuous length of transfer material, portions ofmaterial throughout overlapping areas of different extent being removedfrom the respective lengths of record and transfer material, said recordmaterial and transfer material being superposed in manifold relationshipwith each other and having transversely scored lines at establishedintervals for easy division.

14. Continuous manifolding material, including alternating portions ofrecord material and transfer material, portions of material throughoutoverlapping areas of different extent being removed from the respectiverecord and transfer materials to enable engagement with material feedingmeans.

15. In a manifolding assembly a plurality of superposed sheets ofmaterial adapted for simultaneous engagement with sheet feedingmechanism, there being a clearance' provided at the point of engagementwhereby at least one of the sheets is free for limited shifting movementrelative to the feeding mechanism to a greater extent than another sheetof the assembly.

16. Means for maintaining work sheet strips and structurally separatecarbon sheet strips in desired registration while passing over a platenin a writing machine comprising pin wheels at the platen having pinsengaging marginal rows of holes in the work sheet strips to thereby holdthe latterin registration, said pins being so located relative to theedges of the carbon sheet strips that the inner edges of the pins arelocated in close proximity to the side edges of the carbon strips so asto prevent appreciable lateral movement of the carbon sheet strips.relative to the platen and to the work sheet strips.

17. In a writing machine having a platen for supporting continuous worksheet strips and separate continuous carbon sheet strips; feeding meansfor the strips comprising pin wheels having pins engaging marginal rowsof holes in the work sheet strips to thereby hold the latter inregistration and in predetermined position on the platen, said carbonsheet strips having their side edges fitting snugly between the pins ofthe pin wheels to be guided by the pins against lateral movement.

18. In a writing machine having a, platen over which a pile ofcontinuous strips is fed; and strip-feeding means comprising pin wheels,some of said strips of the pile having margins projecting' beyond themargins of other strips and having in said margins rows of holes adaptedto be engaged by the pins of the pin-wheels to be fed thereby, thenarrower strips having their side edges fitting snugly between the pinsof the pin wheels to be held thereby against lateral shifting movementsrelative to the other strips.

19. In a writing machine having a cylindrical platen about which iswrapped a pile of continuous strips to be supported thereby in writingposition, certain of said strips having margins projecting beyond otherstrips and having in said margins rows of holes; and pin wheels on theplaten having pins for engaging said holes in said wider strips and holdthe same in registration on the platen, the narrower strips beinginterspersed between the wider strips and being fed by the wider stripsby the binding action produced between all of the strips of the pile asthe result of the wrapping of said pile around the platen.

CARL W. BRENN.

